Why Did God Put Me Here?

[Steve Myers] Ever felt like an outsider? At school, at work, or even in your own family? You laugh at the right jokes, wear the right clothes, show up, play the part. But deep down, something's off. Like everyone else got the script, except you. And you're left at living your lives. Maybe you're successful, built a career, even found some happiness. But when you're there, it's there. That feeling, out of sync, disconnected, lonely. You're waiting for something for someone to tell you who you really are. And in those quiet, raw moments, the question hits. Why did God put me here?

Science can't answer that. Fame won't satisfy it. Self-help won't fix it. But Scripture does.

God made you on purpose with a plan that's not just for now, but for forever. You were created with intention for a calling that's personal, eternal, and extraordinary—to become a spirit-born child of God in His eternal family. Now, this isn't just a spiritual pep talk. This is a journey that reshapes your identity, your choices, and your destiny. Because it's one thing to exist. It's another to know why you exist. And still another to do something about it.

You know, I've had those upside-down moments too. Losing a job. Grieving losses. Health scares. Broken relationships. That's when life grinds to a stop and suddenly the why gets louder than anything else.

There was a time when everything I'd built started to fall apart. My friends drifted. My career failing. I remember one night when I sat on my bedroom floor, lights off, everything quiet. But my mind was loud. I looked up and asked out loud, God, what am I even doing here? What's the point? I wasn't angry. Just exhausted. And maybe I missed something. And maybe you've had your version of that moment too, when all that's left is the need for a real answer.

Now picture this. You show up at a big family wedding. The tables are packed. Everyone's catching up, laughing, and yet you feel invisible. And then right in the middle of a toast, someone at the head table looks over and says, hey, there you are! We've been waiting for you. Get over here. Everything changes. Not because you earned it, but because you belong. You're wanted. You're part of the family.

Now that's the power of John 1:12. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.

You see, God's not saying, try harder. He's saying, you belong at my table. I've saved your seat. Not a guest. Not a stranger. Family. That's the heartbeat of your purpose, to be fully known, deeply loved, and embraced as a child in the eternal family of God.

Just like we find in Romans chapter 8:15. You receive the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father. The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. And if children, then heirs. Heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. Abba. Sounds like a funny word, but it actually means daddy. It's a word of love, of trust, of closeness. Can you grasp that? You see, it's not just being saved. It's not just being forgiven, but positioned as an heir with Jesus Christ Himself.

Now I remember reading that verse for the first time and being hit by those two words, Abba, Father. I'd always thought, well, God is majestic. He's holy, but felt a little far off. And then it clicked. He's not just the king. He's my spiritual father, Abba. And that changed me. And from then on, I wanted to live not like an outsider trying to earn His love, but like a child who already had it. Being a child of God isn't about just saying a prayer. You know, it's about spiritual transformation. A new beginning that changes everything. You see, you're not an outsider. Not just someone tolerates. You're a child with full rights and privileges and a future inheritance that's eternal. You belong.

You know, that deep sense of belonging is right there at the heart of something special that I'd like to share with you. It's a study aid called Why Were You Born? Because God doesn't just invite you to attend. He calls you by name to be His child. Now you can find it at ucg.org/bt495. Isn't it time to go deeper? In this study aid, you can dig into your destiny as a child of God. That intimate relationship He wants to have with you. Your transformation from an outsider to a beloved son or daughter. God created you for a place in His family. So now's the time to take your seat, embrace your new identity, and that's just the beginning.

Is God calling you to a spiritual journey to reshape your life?

The path begins with number one, repent of sin. Acts 3:19 says, repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out. True repentance isn't just feeling bad or sorry. It's a deep shift of heart and mind, choosing to turn from sin and move toward God. It means recognizing what separates you from Him, confessing your sins, asking for His forgiveness, and then committing to walk in obedience.

I remember years ago a friend of mine in his early 30s lost everything to his poor choices, lost his job, lost his friends, even access to his kids. One night after sleeping in his car, he told me he looked in the mirror, didn't even recognize himself, and he cried out, I don't want to live like this anymore. That became his turning point. And you know real repentance, it's life-altering. It's the moment you stop surviving and start surrendering.

Now the second step on your spiritual journey is be baptized. Acts 2:38 reminds us, it says, repent and let every one of you be baptized, going on for the remission of sins.

This is more than just a symbol. It's your fresh start. It's like planting a seed in beautiful, rich soil. And when you're baptized, it's a way of proclaiming God, I want to live a new life with you, your way. And just like that seed that begins to grow, baptism is the start of your new life in God's family, a spiritual reset where your sins are forgiven. And it's not just a ritual, it's personal. It's a covenant. It's a commitment. You're saying, I'm serious about this and I want a real relationship with God.

Now, your spiritual journey must also take step three, receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 finishes with the key to change. It says, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. That's not just a feeling. That's not a mood or a vibe. You need this. It's power. It's presence. It's God dwelling in you. And it's absolutely essential.

Romans 8:9 tells how important this is. It says, now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. Without the Spirit, you're just like a lamp that isn't connected, just an empty shell. But once you're plugged in and switched on, you shine. Receiving the Holy Spirit is like flipping the switch, tapping into God's power, giving you strength to live His way.

Now, the Bible teaches the Holy Spirit is given immediately after baptism through the laying on of hands by a true minister of Jesus Christ. It's the power to truly change and become part of God's family. But it doesn't end there.

Finally, on your spiritual journey, you must, number four, live by the Spirit. Romans 8:14 says, for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. So being led by the Spirit isn't floating through life. It means letting God guide your everyday life. I thought of windsurfing. I've tried it. It is tough, especially when you're fighting against the wind and you stall and you struggle and you end up drifting on the water. But when you align your sail with the wind, you move. And that's what it's like to live by the Spirit, lining up your life with God's guidance every day. And when you do, He provides the power.

These four steps, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Spirit and being led by it, they're not just boxes to check. They're your pathway to the family of God.

Now let's take a step into the bigger picture, your eternal purpose. Mark 1:15, Christ said, the time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.

The kingdom of God isn't a myth, it's reality, a real government ruled by Christ that will replace the broken systems of this world. You've heard of it. Revelation 11:15 says, the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. And in fact, in Revelation 5:10, it tells you your role. It says, we shall reign on the earth. God's prepared you to help bring peace, justice, and healing to this hurting world. Daniel 7:27 confirms it. The kingdom shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.

You see, this isn't fantasy. This is your future beyond today. So start now. And as Christ said, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. You weren't meant to be on the outside looking in. You were born to be called by name, brought near and filled with the Holy Spirit. God's not just saving you. He's reproducing Himself in you.

So through Jesus Christ the firstborn, God is building a family. And you're meant to be one of the many.

So the most important question remains, why were you born? But now you know. The next question is, will you live for it?